Global Accelerator Brief on Youth

Young people are a key driver of sustainable economic and social development, yet unemployment, inactivity, poor-quality jobs, and inadequate social protection can have lifelong consequences for their employment prospects, income security, health, and well-being.

These challenges also impose significant economic costs through lost productivity, reduced human capital, and weaker economic growth. Investing in decent work opportunities and social protection for youth not only improves individual outcomes but also strengthens a country's future workforce, fosters innovation, and generates long-term social and economic returns.

Recognizing that young people are disproportionately affected by economic, demographic, digital and green transitions, the Global Accelerator has identified youth as one of its priority groups. This brief showcases how countries are prioritizing youth and the results they have already achieved. 

Originally published by the Global Accelerator. 

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds, and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.